The yellow No. 2 Pencil remains as reliable for schoolwork as ever, but a mechanical pencil lets students write for hours without interruption, no matter if they tend to press down hard on the page. Never requiring sharpening, mechanical pencils also come in different designs to suit one’s personality. You can even load them with colorful leads to brighten up the page and make homework slightly more appealing (if circumstances allow). The ones we’ve chosen here all hold 0.7mm leads, a useful lead size that’s ideal for day-to-day writing and sketching, as well as less detailed technical drawing. And since 0.7mm leads are popular, refills are available in a wide range of grades, from soft to hard. With their durable construction and ergonomically designed grips, these pencils should last through many school years.
How we pick each product:
Our mission is to recommend the most appropriate artists’ tool or supply for your needs. Whether you are looking for top-of-the line equipment or beginners’ basics, we’ll make sure that you get good value for your money by doing the research for you. We scour the Internet for information on how art supplies are used and read customer reviews by real users; we ask experts for their advice; and of course, we rely on our own accumulated expertise as artists, teachers, and craftspeople.